Truro College launch new shirt for the ROC 5K fun run

Sponsor Truro and Penwith College is proud to unveil the new eye catching colour of this year’s running shirt for The ROC 5K charity fun run. This popular annual event, which has a brand new route this year, is taking place from Truro’s Lemon Quay after work on Tuesday 27th June. With more than 300 participants registered already, the organisers hope for a record turnout.

The ROC 5K is the major source of support for ROC Welcome, a vibrant social club for people with learning disabilities, which is based at Truro College. ROC Welcome is part of United Response, a national disability charity that works with people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. The club is is probably the largest of its kind in the county and is entirely dependent on charitable donations.

For information about The ROC 5K go to www.unitedresponse.org.uk/ROC5K2017 Pre-registration is essential because the event has sold out for the past two years. The minimum age is 11.

The high quality, technical running shirt features the logos of all 37 corporate partners, including Truro and Penwith College which has been a major sponsor from the very first event, nearly 4 years ago. The shirts are delivered to participants ahead of race day so that all participants wear the same shirt.

Theresa Edwards, programme team leader for Foundation Studies students at Truro and Penwith College, said: "The College is proud to support The ROC 5K. Staff and students across the College sign up to take part and the Foundation Studies department is always well represented. The College supports the event with promotion to its local business contacts, and on race day we provide the PA system, warm up instructors and physios for everyone taking part."

Sam Mitchell, Foundation Studies lecturer said: "The intentional inclusion of people with learning and other disabilities is a distinguishing feature of The ROC 5K. The new, flat route provides equality of access and promotes a culture of physical activity, especially among those who do not see themselves as runners. Foundation Studies staff all get great satisfaction from supporting the students taking part; we have a record 60 entrants this year!"

Louise Aspinall, senior staff secretary, is a sports activator for the College’s Health, Wellbeing and Sport Programme (HWS) and coordinates a college running club. HWS work tirelessly to encourage staff and students to get active, and have won a number of awards for their success. Louise commented; “the ROC 5K is a fantastic event for a very worthy charity and the new route makes it accessible for both first time participants and experienced runners. Students and staff across the College are always keen to get involved and I have already registered my place!”

Calvin Lovelock, from United Response, said: "I’m so grateful for the tremendous, multi-faceted support of the College. The ROC 5K is a wonderful occasion in which people can come together and have fun. However, to walk, jog or run The ROC 5K is about much more than simply raising vitally needed funds. It’s about taking a stand - as an army of orange - for a kinder, safer and more inclusive Cornwall in which people of all abilities can flourish."

While Truro’s Lemon Quay piazza remains the start and finish point, the new route of this year’s ROC 5K fun run takes in the Newham side of the Truro River and the historic city centre including the Cathedral, the Royal Cornwall Museum and The Leats.

Last year’s ROC 5K was a sell-out occasion, with 500 community spirited people taking part who helped to raise £17,000. With a new route, even more people can take part. People of all abilities can run, jog or walk the ROC 5K. The minimum age to participate is 11.

The Government’s position on the interpretation of regulations around the National Living Wage is causing huge confusion. As a result the delivery of community based services, for people with learning disabilities, which are proven to work well, are under real threat.

The Government’s position on the interpretation of regulations around the National Living Wage is causing huge confusion. As a result the delivery of community based services, for people with learning disabilities, which are proven to work well, are under real threat.

Disability charity, United Response, hosted a working lunch event on Friday 16th June to celebrate the positive work that is being carried out in Greater Manchester to help unlock the employment potential of the 65,000 people with learning disabilities living in the area.

Warrens Bakery has generously provided the Cornish pasties for The ROC 5K charity fun run every year since the event was first established nearly 4 years ago. This year, they have increased their support.

Become a support worker for United Response and help disabled people in their communities at home. You’ll help them cook, clean, pay bills, apply for jobs, make friends and a thousand things in between.

Easy News is the first news magazine designed to be accessible for people with learning disabilities, aimed to encourage discussion around news stories and keep readers informed about the world around them. Read the latest issue here.

We work with young people and adults with a wide range of learning disabilities across England and Wales. To plan the right kind of support, we work closely with each individual and the people who are important to them. In this way, they get the support they want, in the way they want.

ROC (Robert Owen Communities) has Wellbeing services in Devon and Cornwall, which we can support you to attend. ROC’s Wellbeing services offers you the opportunity to learn new and exciting skills and gain accredited learning qualifications at the same time.